Truck strap winch rewinding device

• US 6,729,604 B1
• Filed: 09/20/2001
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenneth R. Claycomb
• Original Assignee: Kenneth R. Claycomb
• Inventors: Claycomb, Kenneth R.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARCELO, EMMANUEL MONSAYAC
• Application Number:
  US09/937,046
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 254/217, 254/218, 24/68.R, 24/70.ST, 24/69.ST, 24/69.CT, 24/71.ST
• US Class Current: 254/217
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/0846 winding up or storing of straps
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 54/585 Reels for rolling tape-like material, e.g. flat hose or strap, into flat spiral form; Means for retaining the roll after removal of the reel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/21 Strap tighteners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2121 Cargo tie down
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2147 Strap tightener

Abstract

A device for rewinding a load strap onto a winch of the type typically used to secure loads on flat bed truck trailers. The device includes a spindle (10) with engagement pin (20) that fits inside the winch drum (34) of the existing winch (32) (as commonly found on flat bed truck trailers to secure loads). The engagement pin (20) engages the winch bar holes (36) in winch drum (34). The spindle (10) is fitted with either a large hand crank (28), small hand crank (32) or motor (38) allowing the operator to rapidly and conveniently rewind loose load securing straps that will not be immediately reused to secure a new load onto the load securing winch (32).

Claims

1. In combination with a conventional load strap winch assembly comprising a hollow winch drum having a radial hole into the hollow of said drum, a device attachable thereto for the purpose of rewinding load straps onto the winch drum, comprising:

a cylindrical spindle member adapted for axial insertion inside the hollow of the existing winch drum of the load strap winch assembly, said spindle including a locking detent member adapted for radial outward movement for engagement with the hole in said winch drum once the spindle member is inserted fully therein, and a spindle driver coupled to said spindle for the purpose of applying rotational motion to said winch drum via said spindle.

2. The device for rewinding load straps according to claim 1, wherein said locking member is adapted for radial outward movement to engage the winch drum, which shall then cause the winch drum to rotate simultaneously with the spindle when rotational motion is applied to an end of said spindle by said driver.

3. The device for rewinding load straps according to claim 2, wherein said locking member further comprises a spring loaded engagement pin.

4. The device for rewinding load straps according to claim 3, wherein said spring loaded engagement pin further comprises a unitary member having a section of smaller diameter and a section of larger diameter, and a bore hole formed centrally along a major axis from the end of the larger diameter section almost to the end of the smaller diameter section, whereby said bore hole is adapted for containing an extension spring.

5. The device for rewinding load straps according to claim 4, wherein said spindle is a cylindrical member formed with a spindle hole extending diametrically from a position on an outer surface thereof almost to but not exiting the opposite spindle surface, said spindle hole being of sufficient size to slidably accommodate said engagement pin.

6. The device for rewinding load straps according to claim 5, further comprising an extension spring contained in the bore hole of the engagement pin and biased against the termination of the spindle hole, said extension spring causing the engagement pin to extend sufficiently to engage a winch bar hole on a winch drum when the spindle is inserted within the hollow of said winch drum.

7. The device for rewinding load straps according to claim 6, further comprising a retaining collar sized with an inner diameter to fit over the smaller section of the engagement pin, and an outer diameter to fit tightly in the spindle hole, thereby serving to restrain the larger diameter section of the engagement pin within the spindle.

8. The device for rewinding load straps according to claim 1, further comprising a hand crank coupled to one end of said spindle for the purpose of applying rotational motion.